Assignment one: Essay
50% of the mark for the module
2,000 words (+/- 10%)
Critically evaluate the view that ‘transactional’ human resource
management (HRM) activities should be devolved to line managers
Key requirements for your essay
Word file
Electronic submission – submission point on DLE
Anonymous submission – no name or student number
Based on appropriate academic and practitioner
sources
Deadline 12 noon, Thursday 12 November
Marks and feedback on or before 10 December
Relevant classes
Lectures one, two and three
Seminar one
This seminar and the seminars (workshops) on 27
and 30 October
Relevant reading is outlined in the assignment brief and you should use the ‘Current issues in HRM’ section of the electronic reading list
Essay structure
Title: this is the question
Indicate word count after title
NO abstract / executive summary
Introduction
Main body: answer the question in a clear and logical way, and use sub-headings to signpost discussion
Conclusion: summary of key points, answer the question (and don’t add new material)
Alphabetical reference list: Harvard
Introduction
Give some context
What are you going to say? – state your aims and objectives,
introduce your key points
o ‘This essay will … and it will conclude that …’
Define / explain any terms (academic literature)
o HRM
o Transactional HRM
o Devolution
Main body
Different ways of structuring the argument:
Benefits and disadvantages of devolution
Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of
devolution
Benefits and disadvantages of HR managers doing
transactional HRM versus benefits and disadvantages of line
managers doing these tasks
There’s no right or wrong way!